I Was Tricked by a Black Lotus [Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Shen Qingshu glanced at Eldest Madam Shen and noticed she had already turned her head slightly away, refusing to watch the scene unfolding in the hall. When her gaze shifted to the Second Concubine, she saw a look of disdain mixed with jealousy.

Wen Xue’er kept her head bowed, her expression was hidden from Shen Qingshu’s view.

At that moment, Shen Qingshu desperately wanted to pull Wen Xue’er back to Hefeng Courtyard, lock the door, and prevent anyone from scheming against her. But she couldn’t. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward. “Father, though Xue’er has only recently joined our household, we’ve grown as close as sisters.” She emphasized the word “sisters.” “Why not let her move to Autumn Breeze Courtyard and share my quarters? That way, I would have someone to talk to regularly.”

“Your Autumn Breeze Courtyard isn’t very spacious. As a guest, she deserves her own private courtyard,” Minister Shen replied calmly, taking a sip of tea without looking up.

“What if Xue’er wants to live with me?”

Father Shen set down his teacup, the dull clink echoing in the room. “What do you think, Xue’er?”

Wen Xue’er’s heart fluttered. After a long pause, she replied in a faint voice, “I’ll defer to Uncle’s judgment.”

“Then let’s leave it at that for now. Qingshu, stop making a fuss.”

Shen Qingshu’s disappointment was plain on her face, and she fell silent afterward.

“Hefeng Courtyard and Autumn Breeze Courtyard aren’t far apart. You can walk between them easily. Why are you pouting?” Shen Zi’an nudged Shen Qingshu with his elbow, but she didn’t respond.

Qingshu wouldn’t even argue with him anymore. This woman was truly fickle. Shen Zi’an couldn’t understand what the fuss was about whether Wen Xue’er belonged in Autumn Breeze Courtyard or not.

As expected, later at the dinner table, even the Second Concubine didn’t mention a word about Shen Zi’an taking Wen Xue’er as his concubine.

The meal was thoroughly unpleasant. Shen Qingshu excused herself early, claiming she felt unwell.

As she walked away, she kicked a pebble, sending it clattering across the ground.

I told her I’d always have her back. Why won’t Wen Xue’er accept my help?

Not long after Shen Qingshu returned to Autumn Breeze Courtyard, a maid entered. “Second Miss, Miss Wen is outside.”

“Tell her I’m not receiving visitors,” Shen Qingshu said, frowning.

The maid hesitated before slowly backing out to deliver the message.

“Wait, tell her to come in,” Shen Qingshu said, glancing briefly out the window before quickly averting her gaze.

Wen Xue’er had taken special care with her makeup, applying only a light touch, and changed into a flowing white dress.

Shen Qingshu desperately wanted to look but forced herself not to, nearly turning red from the effort.

“You may leave,” Wen Xue’er murmured to the maid.

Only then did she sit beside Shen Qingshu, deliberately maintaining a slight distance between them.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to come here?” Shen Qingshu pouted.

“But Second Cousin never told me in advance! I wasn’t prepared, and I ended up rambling nonsense,” Wen Xue’er replied with a faint smile.

Shen Qingshu turned to her. “Why won’t you agree?”

She would look even more stunning in this white dress with a feathered shawl… Wait, why am I daydreaming again? Shen Qingshu took a deep breath.

Wen Xue’er continued to smile. “Does Second Cousin really think things will work out just because I agree?”

“But you don’t know that I asked you to move to this courtyard precisely because…” Shen Qingshu trailed off, suddenly at a loss for words.

“I know,” Wen Xue’er said softly.

Shen Qingshu froze, staring at her in stunned silence.

Their eyes met, and without a word, an unspoken understanding passed between them.

“It’s no use,” Wen Xue’er said with a smile, shaking her head gently.

“If you don’t like it, you can tell me, Shen Qing… I also love going against them.”

“Second Cousin, I’m not a daughter of the Shen family.”

Shen Qingshu immediately deflated.

“I won’t let it happen,” she said suddenly, her voice earnest after a moment of silence.

Wen Xue’er was slightly taken aback.

“Never mind, never mind. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained now.”

Wen Xue’er lowered her head, silent. The delicate, gold-embroidered auspicious cloud shoes beneath her white dress tapped lightly against the floor.

Shen Qingshu, however, couldn’t maintain her composure. She let out a barely audible sigh. Since Minister Shen won’t listen to me, it seems my only hope lies with Prince Jin, Li Huaiming.

Before the Shen family’s banquet begins, I must ensure Wen Xue’er and Li Huaiming meet.

“Second Cousin?” Wen Xue’er called out, noticing Shen Qingshu had drifted into thought again.

Shen Qingshu abruptly stood up and gathered a stack of paintings Proprietor Yuan had returned. “A girl’s room shouldn’t be too plain. These paintings are valuable… and elegant. Do you like them? I’d like to give them to you.”

“I like anything you give me,” Wen Xue’er replied with a gentle smile. “But I’ve been wondering about something for days: why are you so kind to me?”

“Of course, it’s because you’re so gentle, kind, beautiful, and generous,” Shen Qingshu said with a sly smile. “But don’t think I’m as kind as you imagine. If you accept my gift, you must agree to my condition.”

“Hmm?” Wen Xue’er frowned slightly.

“Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. How about we go out together to celebrate?”

As someone who knew the male lead’s schedule, Shen Qingshu was confident she would run into him.

Wen Xue’er pursed her crimson lips. “If Second Cousin doesn’t mind, I’d be happy to go.”

“Remember to prepare well,” Shen Qingshu said, her excitement bubbling over.

As Wen Xue’er left Autumn Breeze Courtyard, her eyes darkened, and a complex, unreadable expression flickered across her face.

The next day, when Shen Qingshu saw Wen Xue’er again, she was still wearing an elegant moon-white gown. Her delicate eyebrows were lightly painted, her lips naturally red, and her slender, fair hands held a jade-faced silk fan, making her look like a figure from a painting.

Shen Qingshu’s gaze froze once more.

The maid beside her frowned, thinking to herself, The Second Miss is acting just like the Third Young Master now, her eyes lighting up at the sight of a beauty.

Unexpectedly, Shen Qingshu stepped forward and helped Wen Xue’er put on a white gauze veil, completely concealing her beauty beneath the sheer fabric.

I can’t let those playboys take a fancy to her before I’ve even impressed Prince Jin, Shen Qingshu thought, her mind calculating rapidly.

“If you can’t see the way, I’ll guide you,” Shen Qingshu offered, extending her arm. Her slender, jade-like fingers, peeking from the pale, embroidered sleeves adorned with cloud-patterned blossoms, seemed even more delicate in the moonlight.

“Alright,” Wen Xue’er replied softly, gently touching Shen Qingshu’s wrist.

Noticing Shen Qingshu’s gaze lingering on the passing ornate carriages, Wen Xue’er tugged lightly on her sleeve. “Second Cousin, are you looking for someone?”

“No, I just think their carriages are much prettier than the ones at Shen Manor,” Shen Qingshu said, though her eyes remained fixed on the passing vehicles.

Why isn’t Prince Jin’s Manor in sight yet?

Wen Xue’er suddenly paused.

Following her gaze, Shen Qingshu saw her staring at a rabbit lantern hanging from a nearby stall.

“Do you want it?” Shen Qingshu asked.

Wen Xue’er nodded.

As Shen Qingshu reached for her purse, she noticed Wen Xue’er’s slender fingers dropping a few silver coins onto the stall.

After accepting the lantern, Wen Xue’er turned slowly to Shen Qingshu, her voice soft. “This… is for you.”

A flicker of surprise lit up Shen Qingshu’s eyes.

As expected of my beloved little sister, even her gifts are so adorable.

“Does Second Cousin dislike it?” Wen Xue’er asked hesitantly, seeing Shen Qingshu’s prolonged hesitation.

“No, no, no! I love it!” Shen Qingshu quickly accepted the rabbit lantern. “I’ll hang it by my bedside tonight and look at it every day and night.”

Wen Xue’er chuckled softly.

As Shen Qingshu was admiring the lifelike rabbit lantern, she suddenly felt a shove from behind. Her hand jerked, and the lantern flew out of her grasp.

The sound of approaching hooves carried on the wind.

“Don’t step on my lantern!” Shen Qingshu lunged forward.

The moment Shen Qingshu grabbed the rabbit lantern, the hooves came to an abrupt halt.

By the time Shen Qingshu realized what was happening, a carriage had already stopped right in front of her.

“What’s this?! Daring to disturb Prince Jin’s carriage!” the carriage driver roared.

Shen Qingshu glanced up and saw a lantern engraved with the character “晋” hanging from the carriage.

Prince Jin’s Manor!

“This humble woman, Shen Qingshu, has disturbed His Highness Prince Jin. I beg Your Highness for mercy,” Shen Qingshu said, bowing slightly.

This is too easy.

A soft laugh drifted from behind the carriage curtains.

A richly dressed woman leaned out.

Shen Qingshu strained her memory before realizing this was Commandery Princess Zhao’an, Prince Jin’s cousin. In the original novel, Li Huaiming had been out with her that very night.

Commandery Princess Zhao’an raised an eyebrow. “The esteemed daughter of the Shen family, stopping Prince Jin’s carriage in the street? What will people think?”

Shen Qingshu steadied herself, relieved to remember that while the princess was arrogant, she wasn’t a villain.

“This humble woman dares not disturb Prince Jin and the Commandery Princess. I only rushed out in a moment of panic, having lost something precious.”

“Lost something?” Commandery Princess Zhao’an glanced disdainfully at the rabbit lantern Shen Qingshu clutched. “This?”

“A gift from a friend. I cherish it dearly.”

“It is rather charming,” the princess said with a faint smile. “Why don’t you give it to me?”

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